The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-16


ready in the water. The river was swol-
len, and the risk terrible, even for q man.
"But he struck out against death with
all the strength of his little body and OF
his big heart. He reached aud caught
hold OF the unfortunate boy in time, just
as he was sinking, and brought him to
the surface. He fought furiously against
the current, which was carrying him
away with his companion, who was trying
to clasp him; and several times he sank
and came up again with desperate effort,
obstinate, invincible in his holy pur-
pose, not like boy who is trying to save
another boy, but like man, like afather
who is striving to save son who Is his
hope and his life.
"Finally, God did not allow such gener-
GUS courage to be useless. The boy
swimmer snatched the victim from the
giant river. and brought him to land; and,
besides, with others, gave him the first
comforts, after which he returned home
quietly and alone, and ingenuously re-
lated what he had done.
Gentlemen, beautiful and admirable
is heroism in man. But in boy, in whom
no aim of ambition or of any other interest
is yet possible; in boy who is holder
because he has less strength; III boy
of whom nothing is asked, who is bound
to nothing, who already appears to us
SO noble and amiable, not when he makes
sacrifice, but even when he comprehends
and recognizes the sacrifices OF others,
-heroisn in @ boy is divine.
Gentlemen, will say no more. do
not wish TO set off with superfiuous
praises so simple greatness OF soul. Be-
hold here before you the valiant and no.
BILE rescuer. Soldiers, salute him like q
brother. Mothers, bless him like son.
Children, remember his name. impress
his face on your minds, that it may never
more be Cancelled from your memories or
from your hearts.
"Come here, boy. In the name OF the
King OF Italy, give you the medal for
civil valor."
Aloud hurrah, shouted by many voices,
echoed through the hall.
The syndic took the medal from the
table, and fastened it on the boys breast.
Then he embraced and kissed him. The
mother put her hand to her eyes, and
the father bowed his head. The syndic
shook them both by the hand, and taking
the patent of the decoration. tied round
with ribbon, gavei it to the woman. Then
he turned to the boy, and said:
"May the remembrance of this day,
SO glorious for you, so happy for your
father and mother, keep you all your
life in the way of virtue and of honor
Goodbye"
The syndic went out, and the band
played, and all seemed ended, when the
group of firemen opened, and boy about
eight or nine years old, pushed forward
by woman who Immediately concealed
herself, rushed toward the young hero,
and threw himself into his arms.
Another burst of applause resounded
in the courtyard. Everybody had I'M
deretood at once that this was the boy
who had been saved from the Pc, and
who had come to thank his rescuer.
After having kissed him, he took him
by the arm to accompany him out. The
two boys first, and the father and moth
or behind, advanced toward the door.
passing with difficulty through the crowd,
which made room as they passed.
guards, boys, soldiers, and women in
confusion. Everybody pushed forward
and stood on tiptoe to see the boy. Those
on his way touched his hand. When he
passed in front of the school-boys, they
all waved their caps in the air. The boys
from the Pc suburb made great noise,
pulling him by the arms and the jacket,
and crying:
spin Hurrah for Pin Bravo, Pinot |"
I saw him pass quite close. His face
was beaming with JOY. The medal had a
white, red and green ribbon. His moth
er was crying and laughing. His father
twisted his mustache with one hand,
which trembled as if he had the sgue.
The people at the windows and on the
balconies continued to lean over and ap-
plaud. ALI at once, when they were
about to enter the porch, there came
down from the balcony, on which were
the soldiers daughters" shower of
pansies and little bouquets of violets and
of daisies, which fell on the heads of the
boy, his father, and his mother, and we're
scattered on the ground. Many began
hastily to pick them up, and gave them
to the mother. The band at the end OF
the courtyard played very softly beau
tiiul air, which seemed like the singing
of 80 many silvery voices, moving slowly
away down the banks of a river.-The
Cosmopolitan.
| THE OLD-FASHIONED FOURTH